Route 66 Showcase Cup RULES OF PLAY

RULES OF PLAY Except as otherwise provided herein, the rules of US Club and FIFA “Laws of the Game” shall govern this tournament.

ELIGIBILITY

Age:  The age groups for this tournament shall be in accordance with the US Club Soccer age groups for the current seasonal year.  Divisions for single age years will be implemented if there are enough entries as determined by the tournament committee.

Registration.  All players must be currently registered with their respective USSF National Affiliate. Travel forms are required based on your national affiliation requirements.

Tournament Participants: All teams must abide by the US Club Soccer policies, rules, and regulations and are subject to their disciplinary actions. 

Team Roster Sizes Allowed:

Proof of Age: All players and coaches must have current USSF National affiliation (i.e. US Club or USYS) Player ID cards. 

• Date of application and payment received.  Teams that submit payments after the deadline will be placed on a waiting list.
• Travel accommodations status
• Team/club history and participation in previous Tulsa SC events
• Geographic balance
• Club affiliation

?CREDENTIALS/TEAM ONLINE CHECK-IN

• All teams must upload their official rosters, National affiliation ID cards, travel permission (where required), and guest player forms.
• There will be no game check-in done at the field by the referee.

DURATION OF THE GAME

Showcase will be a round-robin format only (3 games).  The length of games for each age group shall be as follows:

Tie Breaker Information:  In the event of a tie, the following criteria is used to determine which team advances:

1. Head to Head
2. Goal Differenetial
3. Goals Scored
4. Goals Against
5. Shutouts

Semi-finals and Finals:   There are semi-finals or finals are U6-U14 ONLY. 

Unfinished Games:  If the referee terminates a game and neither team is at fault, it shall be considered a completed game if the first half has been completed.

Game Clock:  The game clock will not be stopped because of injury to any player unless, at the discretion of the referee, if the injured player must be removed from the field by medical personnel.  In case of extremely hot or humid conditions water breaks may be designated by the tournament director.  Due to the time allowed for the completion of all games, the clock must run continuously.

Inclement Weather/Field Conditions:  In the event of inclement weather, the tournament committee reserves the right to modify all tournament rules in order to safely and fairly end the tournament successfully. Games may be shortened or eliminated in case of inclement weather or unplayable field conditions.  Coaches are asked to be patient and remain flexible – changing the format of the tournament is a major undertaking.   The Tournament Director has the authority to temporarily suspend play due to unsafe weather conditions.  Teams should remain (safely in cars or under shelter) in the vicinity for game resumption.  If lightning is sighted, the tournament director will immediately suspend play and clear the field.  Play will resume after 25 consecutive minutes of no lightning.

• NO refunds are given once teams have been accepted.

REFEREES

• U6-U10 Age divisions will use a one-person referee system.
• U11-U19 Age divisions will use a three-person referee system. 
• The Tournament Committee shall have the right to select a club linesperson from a team if necessary.

EQUIPMENT/UNIFORMS

• Each team’s jersey/shorts must be all the same color, and they must be numbered (no duplicate numbers).
• HOME team will wear light colored jersey. VISITOR will wear dark color jersey. The home team is responsible for changing jerseys in case of color duplication.  The home team is the first team listed in the schedule.
• Shinguards are required for all players.
• Goalkeepers are allowed to wear headgear.
• Casts must be completely covered with at least two (2) inches of foam padding and totally wrapped with an elastic bandage and approved by the head referee of each game.  Any player playing with a cast must have a written release from a doctor.
• In the interest of safety, any player sustaining an open wound MUST be removed from the field of play immediately.  The player may be substituted at this time.  Such players are not allowed to return to the field until any wounds are treated, bandaged, and all blood is removed from their uniforms.

SUBSTITUTIONS:  Substitutions shall be unlimited and may be made with the consent of the referee at any stoppage.

SCORING:  Points will be awarded as follows:

• 3 points for a win
• 1 points for a tie
• 0 points for a loss

Showcase Format: Teams will play three (3) games each in a round-robin format.  Brackets of 3 or 4 will be formed depending on the number of teams accepted in an age group.   Tournament Director may (at his/her discretion) switch teams 3^rd matches based on the results of the 1^st two round-robin games to help optimize the competitiveness of the 3^rd match.

FORFEITS

• A forfeit will be declared if a team fails to report 10 minutes before the scheduled game time with at least seven (7) rostered players.  For U-12 and younger, at least five (5) players shall be required to start the game.

• Any team that quits the field of play before the conclusion of the game will forfeit the game and is subject to disqualification in the tournament at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.

• A team that forfeits a game for any reason will not advance.

• When the situation warrants, the Tournament Committee can declare a double forfeit to both teams with no points scored for the game.  This could be done in the case of unsportsmanlike behavior by both teams, etc.

• A team that forfeits or drops from the tournament will receive a 0-3 loss to the other team with full points given. Any team that drops after the team acceptance will be placed in bad-standing with the tournament and will be reported to their appropriate National and/or State Association.  NO refunds will be given to teams who drop after the team acceptance notifications have been sent.

PROTESTS

• For the Showcase, no protests will be accepted and the referee’s decisions will be considered final.

• For the Tournament, protests should be filed with the referee or with the site director located a the Tournament Headquarters. 

PLAYER and/or TEAM OFFICAL SUSPENSIONS

• Showcase Games - A Player or Coach may receive more than a one-game suspension (i.e. if for violent conduct/fighting).  A substitution will be permitted for a player sent off.  A Player or Coach sent off must be suspended from that game.  However, that player or Coach may participate in the next scheduled game (unless the incident was for violent conduct/fighting).  If a Coach is sent off, but is coaching multiple teams, albeit in the Showcase or Tournament, the Coach will still be allowed to coach his/her other teams games (unless the incident was for violent conduct/fighting)

• Tournament Games - A Player or Coach may receive more than a one-game suspension (i.e. if for violent conduct/fighting).  A substitution will NOT be permitted for a player sent off.  A Player or Coach sent off must be suspended from that game AND the following game.  If a Coach is sent off, but is coaching multiple teams, albeit in the Showcase or Tournament, the Coach will still be allowed to coach his/her other teams games (unless the incident was for violent conduct/fighting).

• Sight & Sound Rule - If a coach or team official is ejected from a game, from the point of ejection until the period of suspension is satisfied, the suspended individual must remain out of sight and sound of the playing field.  The “sight and sound” rule may be invoked in the case of an ejected player or coach, at the discretion of the referee or the Tournament Committee.  At minimum, an ejected Player or Coach must leave the player/bench are of the field and must remain silent for the duration of the game.

• The referees may suspend play when necessary due to spectator interference until the individual(s) creating the disturbance leaves the playing area (minimum of 100 yards from the field).  Said individual(s) shall remain silent for the duration of the game.  Failure to observe this rule may result in forfeiture of the game as well as further disciplinary action.

MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR

The  Rules Committee shall determine any matter not provided for in the tournament rules.  In addition, the Rules Committee may amend the tournament rules when, in its judgment, the amendment will be beneficial to the conduct of the tournament.  The decision of the  Rules Committee shall be final.